NICKELODEON ENCOURAGES LITERACY FOR KIDS ON MANDELA DAY
NICKELODEON’S LETS READ!
A MANDELA DAY SPECIAL IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE GAUTENG DEPARTMENT OF SPORT, ARTS, CULTURE AND RECREATION
Johannesburg, July 09 2020 – ViacomCBS Networks Africa’s kids channel, Nickelodeon Africa has partnered with the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation in support of The Nelson Mandela Day and five inspirational young authors to curate a fun and interactive Nickelodeon’s Let’s Read! Special. The show aims to encourage a love of reading and writing amongst kids. Our talented young authors include Buhle Mthethwa (12 yrs old), Michelle Nkamankeng (11 yrs old), Ngcali Metu (11 yrs old), Prince Mashawana (8 yrs old) and Lelo Mofokeng (11 yrs old).
The MEC for the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Ms Mbali Hlophe highlights the importance of harnessing a sense of creativity & literacy in schools, particularly for young children. “To secure a bright future and progressive community, we must make a positive impact on the lives of children, invest in literacy skills and spark their thinking at preliminary stages when their minds can be nurtured, this special goes a long way in making a significant difference to our future leaders and authors,” says MEC Hlophe.
The MEC added that the Department’s plans are nothing if they do not make room for young creatives, and they continue to work with all talents, including kid authors who will read excerpts of their published work. “The partnership with Nickelodeon Africa is crucial as it is in line with the Department’s Born to Read program aimed at inculcating the culture of reading in children, by also encouraging expectant mothers to read to their kids during pregnancy,” added MEC Hlophe.
The young authors, who are backed by the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation will showcase excerpts of their published works while key aspects are animated on screen by local animators.
South African singer, actress and television presenter, Nandi Madida will host the show. She will be joined by Bothlale Boikanyo a young poet and singer, who will expand on key themes from each young author’s work and relate these themes to Mandela’s life story and lessons.
Tasania Parsadh, Nickelodeon Africa Channel Director at ViacomCBS Networks Africa said, “Tata Madiba was passionate about education and was an avid reader throughout his life. The value of literacy in schools is of national importance, especially during these unprecedented times. While Nickelodeon makes the world a more playful place, reading drives creativity and expands kids and adults’ imaginations. We are excited to showcase these young authors and hope to inspire a culture of literacy in all kids.”
“Reading is a powerful tool for our youth as it offers a child from any background the opportunity to escape their reality and be a part of a new world when reading a book, not only that but it also allows one to interpret and to contribute to the stories in the book, encouraging creativity which is an important skill to have in life. No matter what class, culture, race or social standing you’re in. You are afforded an opportunity to read. As a mother I want to encourage my children to know and appreciate the power and beauty of literacy.” concluded Nandi Madida.
The special will focus on encouraging literacy amongst kids and will also include interactive arts and crafts tutorials, dance and music performances and a special “Wash your Hands” song using the popular Baby Shark song and character, who is now part pf the Nickelodeon family. The show will broadcast on NickToons (DStv channel 308) Saturday, 18 July at 11:30 CAT, 15:30 CAT and 20:30 CAT and on Sunday, 19 July at 07:40 CAT.
Nickelodeon’s Let’s Read! Special by Nickelodeon and Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation is supported by 94.7.
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The special also features Nickelodeon superstar and social media phenomenon JoJo Siwa!
From Sandton Chronicle:
Eight-year-old superhero wants to build a South Africa of readers and writers.
Lively superhero SuperMash loves reading himself, he already has his own comic book out for kids to enjoy.
“South Africa needs to get kids to read more and we need to build the confidence in young kids to start writing and publishing from a young age.”
Mzansi’s favourite child superhero, SuperMash, has launched a new campaign to help build more authors and make reading fun and cool for the youth.
Partnering up with Nickelodeon, Prince Mashawana believes that for our country to move forward and for the kids of the country to become the best that they can be, they need to read more. “South Africa needs to get kids to read more and we need to build the confidence in young kids to start writing and publishing from a young age,” he said.
He mentioned that even overseas children younger than him are already loving books. “I have seen children who are younger than me in the US and UK releasing their second and third books, while in South Africa many don’t even get the opportunity to release even one in their lifetime.”
To try make kids even more interested in reading, SuperMash and Nickelodeon did an inspiring segment on Mandela Day, 18 July, with media personality Nandi Madida. Four other young authors shared some content from their books with the Nickelodeon audience.
The ‘Let’s Read’ campaign has motivated many young children thus far and SuperMash plans to continue to build the momentum, “You have to start somewhere, I want kids to start reading and once a few kids make it cool to read everyone will follow. I am extremely excited to be one of those kids,” he said.
According to the Progress in International Reading Literacy (PIRLS) study which tested reading comprehension of learners in their fourth year of primary schooling, South Africa ranked last out of 50 countries. They found that that 78 per cent of South African learners at this level could not read for meaning. The eight-year-old boy wonder said that one solution won’t solve this issue alone, a multiple implementation concept is needed to rectify the statistics in South Africa in terms of reading.
More effort into promoting a culture of reading, encouraging parents to read to their children more, having a more effective link between South African languages, making books more accessible, promoting young authors in the country and improving education in terms of the process to publish a book.
“I know of a South African author based in KwaZulu-Natal who was in his teens when he released his first book. He came from humble beginnings, yet, he wrote an entire book on his smartphone. We need to celebrate the success of our kids more. South Africa, please celebrate and promote us more,” said the Bryanston resident.
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Originally published: Thursday, July 09, 2020.
H/T: JustNje.
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